Batting

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Eights were wild at John Kurtz Field Saturday, as the No. 5 Georgia College baseball team (20-6, 6-3 PBC) took a series from No. 28 Columbus State University (18-9, 4-5 PBC) with a doubleheader sweep, winning game one 8-1 and taking game two 8-7.

Baldwin High grad Eric Pettepher (Gordon, Ga.) was the star of game one, tossing the first complete game for Georgia College this season. The senior righty (4-0) scattered eight hits while allowing just one run and striking out seven.

GC put three multi-run innings up on the board to get their eight, scoring three in the fourth to overcome the one-run deficit, then three more in the sixth, followed by a pair in the eighth to further put it out of reach.

First baseman Benton Yaun (Marietta, Ga.) was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run, while third baseman Travis Echols (Lawrenceville, Ga.) drove in four on a 2-for-3 game. Hitting 3-for-4 was Tanner Funk (Kearney, Mo.) scoring three times. Catcher Richard Pirkle (Norcross, Ga.) hit 2-for-3, scoring twice and also driving in one.

Columbus State starter Thomas Campbell (3-2) took the loss in five innings of work, allowing six runs. Leftfielder Ryan Lewis drove in the lone run on a 3-for-3 game.

The second contest started out as more of the same, as down 3-0 into the bottom of the second, the Bobcats quickly put up six runs to take over the game. GC added a pair in the fifth, but CSU rallied back to make it 8-7 with a four-run seventh.

After two quick outs in the ninth, closer Tanner Moore (Thomasville, Ga.) put a runner on by a hit batsman. After the runner advanced to second on a wild pitch, the leading home run hitter in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Logan Dollar skied a ball to deep rightfield, drawing a collective gasp from the crowd. Rightfielder Shawn Ward (Evans, Ga.) made a leaping grab near the fence to squeeze the final out and take the series 2-1.

Sophomore starter Mike Guinane (Glenview, Ill.) got ripped for 12 hits and six earned runs, but hung on just long enough for the win, improving to 6-0. Senior Ryan Parson (Madison, Ga.) went 1 1/3 allowing a run, turning it over to Moore, who provided the eventful save in a scoreless ninth, his sixth of the year.

Designated hitter Jim Moreland (Suwanee, Ga.) had an outstanding game two, going 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a run. Yaun continued his tear with a 3-for-4 game as well, scoring twice. Funk was 2-for-4 with a run, while freshman second baseman Matthew Robinson (Hull, Ga.) drove in a pair.

CSU starter Levi Futo (2-3) took the loss, not getting out of the second inning. Third baseman Bruce Alter had a grand slam as part of a 2-for-4 day, driving in five.

The Bobcats become the second team to 20 wins in the PBC, behind 22-4 UNC Pembroke.

GC baseball is back in action Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m., traveling to Lenoir-Rhyne University.

The Georgia College Department of Athletics, back-to-back winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.